The Tour de Georgia begins today and ends April 23rd. Live coverage is being provided by both Velonews and cyclingnews.com. Tom Danielson has done and said all the right things and seems set to defend his title. Now to what degree remains to be seen as he's also pointed out that he would like to make the Giro d'Italia his season's main proving ground. Floyd Landis, who narrowly missed out on victory in Georgia last year, is also back after some time decompressing from his quick start out of the gate this season (winning both the inaugural Tour of California and Paris-Nice). But perhaps the most interesting story to follow this week will be the crowds.
It may seem a bit unfair or morbidly negative to be questioning such a successful race, now in its 4th edition. But, the amount of people who attend each stage will serve as a barometer for both the future success of the event and to the growth of the sport of cycling in America. Recall that previous editions of the race benefitted from Lance Armstrong's presence; one year as he started his attempt at Tour de France immortality and the other after he announced his retirement. So fair or unfair, the answer to the question (and it may be a perrenial one until the next face of America cycling surfaces) lies with the people who follow the sport. Will this race disappear like the Red Zinger/Coors Classic or will we be referring to it as the Peach of American Cycling in years to come?
2 comments:
I could be wrong, and I'm having trouble finding it online, but it seems to me that Lars Michaelsen, who won the first stage of the Tour de Georgia Tuesday, won the CSC Arlington (Va.) Criterion last May here in a final sprint. The CSC team, which sponsors the event, was well represented; Bobby Julich was here, too. And it seems to me that Freddy Rodriquez was in the final sprint, too. Now, I could be wrong, but that's how my memory serves me.
From all accounts I believe you are right on the money. The start list could have been a bit better, but injuries and choices prevented Hincapie, Horner, Wherry, from riding. I just hope people continue to support the race. Did you notice our Friend from FLA posted a comment.
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